Gauge cluster / wiring question

[jekquistk5]

Are the gauge clusters year specific? B/c I'm thinking that my cluster may be from a different year, everything is acting really weird. When i turn on my lights my temp slowly builds, and my oil pressure goes neg. I just replaced my Oil pressure, and temp senders b/c I thought they may be bad. And I know I have pressure b/c I put on a mechanical gauge in to make sure. If they are, anyone have a cluster from a 89?

 

[dyeager535]

Somewhat. Wiring is different depending on year, but it's TYPICALLY a big span of years that are interchangeable, except gauges vs. idiot lights.

I know my '90-91 clusters are completely different than my mid-80's clusters. They improved the PCB layout, which changed the pinout on the instrument panel (IP) connector.

Best practice IMO is to pull the cluster if you are unsure, and trace the PCB for +/-, then the sending unit wires, and compare those against the IP connector pinout. It's easy with a piece of paper, pen, and voltmeter. Key off, which wires are grounded? Turn key on, which IP connector pins get power? Those are your 12V of course. Turn headlights on, whichever wire changes (either gets voltage or goes to ground, can't recall how those work exactly) is your light circuit.

Power and ground wires are the two that need to get figured out first if they match up, then the sender wires.

 

[b454rat]

Wiring in the 80s will be all the same, save for idiot lights to gauges. But I think 78 on up are the same. I know my gauge cluster was from a 79, it plugged right into the stock connector, then ran the wires for the tach.

 

[dyeager535]

At what point was the 4wd indicator light not a "standalone" harness?

Not saying it would completely change the pinout, but I know early 4wd lights were a standalone harness that bypassed the IP connector, later were run through the IP connector. Just not sure when things like that, and improved PCB layouts happened. Could have been 1990 for all I know, but I've never looked at an '89 to see what the back side looked like.

 

[frankin5]

At what point was the 4wd indicator light not a "standalone" harness?

Not saying it would completely change the pinout, but I know early 4wd lights were a standalone harness that bypassed the IP connector, later were run through the IP connector. Just not sure when things like that, and improved PCB layouts happened. Could have been 1990 for all I know, but I've never looked at an '89 to see what the back side looked like.

I have used an 85 and and 88 and both were stand alone for the 4x4 light.

 

[jekquistk5]

I think I'm just going to scrap the cluster, and just buy electric gauges from summit, and wire it all up. I really don't need a spedo. Just need to keep an eye on my engines vitals thats all.